The Bureau: XCOM Declassified - Autopsy and Salvage Reports

[troublewillfindme]

 

thegrimsqueaker taught me a nifty trick (thanks, Squeaker!); below the cut are the full text, in-game autopsy and salvage reports from The Bureau.

 

 

Autopsy Report: Axis

The leader of the Outsider invasion forces, codenamed "Axis," was an especially advanced Commander, displaying dozens of additional implants and physical modifications beyond what have been found in his subordinate troops. Among these implants was an advanced neural connection to Origin, allowing us to pinpoint the location of its physical center.

Dr. Weir’s efforts to decode Axis’ neural implants have also revealed his personal involvement in the early stages of the Outsider invasion, ranging from his personal infiltration of America’s war council to examine our defenses to his tests of different strains of the Sleepwalker infection. Revelations in the latter have provided our scientists with invaluable insight into the nature of the infection and perhaps even how to reverse its effects.

 

Salvage Report: Drone

The Drone is a small flying mechanical device, which can attack with an energy blast, as well as provide basic field repairs. These devices provide basic support for the enemy, particularly when deployed alongside heavier gear such as turrets.

It is uncertain whether the machine is remote-controlled or actually autonomous, but it is not a form of life as we know it. If it is remote-controlled, we may yet be able to capture and control drones of our own. Also promising is the mechanism by which it hovers in the air - a basic form of gravitic manipulation that matches what we have seen in other Outsider craft, but on a smaller and more easily examined scale.

 

Autopsy Report: Ethereal

WEIR’S NOTE: Due to unexpected interruptions, a full autopsy of the captured Ethereal could not be completed, and much of Dr. Heinrich’s notes have been lost in the ensuing chaos. Attached are what little has been recovered:

Telepathic abilities, limit unknown but able to subtly influence host. Possibly other psychic abilities such as telekinesis? Must be careful about interactions until we find a way to shield it.

Only partially exists in our plane of existence (?) – definitely must be more than the frail physical form apparent to our limited instruments.

Uncertain age – potentially ageless. Current specimen supposedly sustained in Origin host/network for millennia. If it can change hosts, an Ethereal may be able to pass undetected for generations on a planet.

Apparently very rare – only one recorded among all of Outsiders’ conquests, and apparently a target of great value. Potential applications for warfare unknown, but unpleasant.

 

Salvage Report: Gunship

The gunship we faced was only one of a countless number of the Outsiders’ multi-purpose assault ships, but it has provided us with an excellent array of technological materials for study. The combined thrust/gravitic propulsion systems, elerium-transfer power source, and assorted environmental control systems should be especially useful if we are to take the fight to the enemy.

More generally, we find that while the enemy gunships are very sturdily built for war, they also bear evidence of extended heavy usage with only minimal repairs. In some cases, unnecessary systems (luxury and entertainment suites) have been cannibalized for use in more pressing repairs (weapons and propulsion), suggesting that the Outsiders have been running low on supplies in the course of their extended conquests. This may explain the urgency of their attack on Earth.

 

Autopsy Report: Muton

Weighing over a quarter-ton, these walking tanks are either the product of extreme physical mutations or countless generations of eugenic breeding. Dubbed "Mutons," these devastating enemies are heavily armored and equipped with scatter lasers. Agents are advised to keep their distance and focus fire on a single target to penetrate the creature’s defenses.

Mutons’ impressive physiology is further augmented by an array of implants, but these do not include the same neural relays found in Outsiders. With neither the hierarchical communication of the Outsiders nor the coerced submission of the Sectoids, it appears that Mutons are engaged as mercenaries in the enemy’s forces. But without an understanding of their payment or motivations, humanity has little chance of being able to employ these powerful forces or sway their loyalty.

 

Autopsy Report: Muton Berserker

These Mutons demonstrate advanced physical growth and physique, even beyond the extremes of their brethren. Autopsy shows a variety of implants, particularly in hormonal production glands, resulting in their extremely violent tendencies. Furthermore, Berserkers are equipped with short-range assault jets, allowing them to make devastating charges over covering terrain. Maintaining a safe distance is even more difficult for field agents, but still vitally important.

 

Autopsy Report: Origin

When the Outsider communication network known as Origin was discovered, we realized that it was built around a pair of connected hosts – one Outsider, the eponymous "Origin," and a symbiotic creature known only as an Ethereal. Although we are still studying the Ethereal, evidence suggests that this one had been fused with Origin, who in turn had captured it and built a system to make use of its telepathic abilities. The Ethereal subject has been recovered, and further research is underway.

Even now, it is uncertain what damage has been done to the Outsider network by killing Origin and removing its "power source," but Dr. Weir maintains that there are still scattered communications being transferred along a remnant of the network. We suspect that larger invasion crafts may contain a "backup relay" of this network – unable to maintain full communication loads, but suitable as a temporary replacement until another is built. This suggests that the Outsiders may have been seeking further Ethereals to act as sources for additional networks.

 

Autopsy Report: Outsider Commander

Leaders of the Outsider forces, the Commanders exhibit the same physique of other Outsiders, but have significantly more complicated neural implants, as well as much more advanced equipment. Personal shielding is common, and many other tactical abilities may be available to these dangerous enemies. Agents are advised to make Commanders a top priority in any engagement.

Commanders do not exhibit the same poor living conditions of their subordinate grunts: nutrition is plentiful, physical trauma is minimal, and many Commanders carry personal effects into battle. These often appear to be devotional items, perhaps involved in religious ceremonies centered around their "Origin." The precise details of this "Origin" are still being examined by Dr. Weir, but it is believed to be the communication network utilized by the Outsiders’ neural implants.

 

Autopsy Report: Outsider Elite

The Elites are heavily armed and shielded ground troops in the Outsider forces, and combine peak physical development of their species, advanced tactical training, and a vicious ferocity that can surprise even trained field agents. Elites are equipped with shields, automatic weapons, and grenades, and often work in conjunction with multiple Outsider grunts and a Commander.

Elites appear to be veteran of many previous Outsider conquests, and different specimens often carry small trophies of their past campaigns. If we successfully repel this invasion, our analysts will have a lifetime of work studying these fragments to learn about the Outsiders’ military history and the other species of our galaxy.

 

Autopsy Report: Outsider Phantom

Similar to the Sniper, the Phantom demonstrates a variety of specially adapted traits for its combat role as a scout and infiltrator, from increased speed to a slimmer physical profile. However, its main threat is not biological, but technological: small, portable stealth fields allow them to achieve near-invisibility for brief periods of time. Field agents who are aware of the presence of these cloaked enemies should be very careful to avoid being flanked or ambushed.

This group of Outsiders seems to be the same that is most commonly used for infiltration of human society. They display significantly fewer neural implants than other Outsiders, suggesting a weaker technological connection to the Origin network – presumably to allow them more independence for isolated recon missions, and to allow them to better infiltrate and impersonate the mindsets of their enemies.

 

Autopsy Report: Outsider Grunt

Outsiders are roughly humanoid in appearance and physiology, although larger and stronger than the average human. All specimens display signs of repeated physical trauma, particularly bruises and broken bones, suggesting a vigorous regimen of martial training.

Low-ranking troops of the Outsider forces, these "grunts" are equipped with semi-automatic weaponry but little else. They also appear to receive less nutrition and general supplies than their fellow Outsiders, suggesting that they are on the bottom of a hierarchical structure – military, societal, religious, or some combination of the above.

One trait apparently shared by Outsiders of all ranks is a series of neural implants. These devices appear to allow a rudimentary communication between Outsiders, although the extent of this communication is uncertain.

 

Autopsy Report: Outsider Sniper

A distinct subset of the Outsider race, Snipers are specially adapted for their combat roles, displaying more complex eyes, lowered metabolisms, and other significant biological differences that assist their role as sharpshooters. Their weaponry builds energy over time for its shots, allowing devastating strikes, but allowing a careful field agent a moment to find cover before being fired upon. In desperate situations where no cover can be found, a sniper’s shot can be disrupted by violent interruptions.

Sniper specimens all demonstrate a similar lineage of genetic traits, suggesting that they are the result of dedicated breeding for their tasks, or perhaps exist as a specific caste in the Outsider society. In either case, this suggests that their society has been in a constant state of warfare and conquest for dozens, if not hundreds of their generations.

 

Autopsy Report: Sectoid

The so-called "Sectoids" – also called "Grays" by the field agents – are small, weak humanoids are recognizable by their large craniums, eyes, and otherwise stunted physiques. Specimens lack visible mouths or nostrils, and exhibit only minimal respiratory or digestive systems, raising significant questions about their metabolic processes.

More curious than their anatomy, however, is the collars they are always found wearing. In addition to acting as physical restraints, these devices act as a neural interface, transmitting both simple communication and basic sensations, most specifically pain.

Through this, we infer that the Sectoids are a slave race to the Outsiders, used as expendable troops and menial labor who require minimal nutrition or care. Whether they were a prior conquest or manufactured whole-cloth for this purpose, this is an ominous sign of the Outsiders’ intentions for conquered races – including humanity.

 

Salvage Report: Sectopod

While not a living alien species, the Sectopod poses a new danger. Standing 20 feet tall, this heavily armored fighting robot is equipped with heavy weapons atop multiple, all-terrain legs that can be used as impromptu melee weapons.

Sectopods are controlled by a living Sectoid encased and sustained within the armor. These “pilots” are unable to leave the Sectopod – in many cases their containment tanks are welded shut – and may actually be a carefully bred subspecies developed solely for this purpose. The pilots’ loyalty would have to be unquestionable, and while they do not wear the slave collars of their brethren, they bear significantly more intrusive neural implants.

 

Autopsy Report: Silacoid

The "Silacoid" (or simply "Blob") is an enigmatic creature. It is composed of a uniformly similar semisolid silicon-based material, with no evidence of connective materials or anything resembling controlling or processing centers. However, when an electrical charge is applied to the substance, it can form shapes, constrict, or even respond to external stimuli. However, this activity can be ceased by disrupting the material’s cohesion – most readily through violent trauma.

While such abstract technology proves difficult to fully understand, we may be able to control and direct it on our own terms, as well as developing further uses for Silacoid materials.

 

Salvage Report: Titan

Study of the limited sample of "Titan" material collected by intrepid XCOM agents shows many shared properties with the substance constituting Silacoids. Whether Titans or Silacoids are themselves sentient and can be regarded as living or are merely examples of highly advanced technology remains uncertain.

Titans are massive, airborne enemies, capable of shifting both shape and function. Field agents are strongly advised to find hardened cover when the Titan shifts into a distinctive "O-shaped" firing form, although this does expose what appears to be a vulnerable control core.